Cfle Africa

Planning Your Finances For The New Year

Now that the new year is here, many of us have committed ourselves to changing the way we live for the better. Some of the most important things people focus on, especially in the new year, are personal finance, saving, and investing.

Achieving financial freedom and independence is an admirable goal, but very few people know where to start. If you’re starting to take steps towards financial

freedom this year, here are some tips you should follow to set financial goals for the new year.

Personal Assessment

Setting financial goals is crucial, but before you can set any goals, you need to know where you currently are. Look through your savings, debts, and investments. Assessing your financial status may feel stressful, but gaining this knowledge will allow you to set realistic goals for the year.

Budget and Stick to it

One of the best things you can do for your finances is set a budget. The budget should be achievable. Make sure that your housing, food, and utility costs are around what you usually pay. Make a decision to spend less than you earn or earn more than you spend this year.

Pay Off Your Debt

Debt is a significant burden and can prevent you from achieving your financial dreams. Start paying off your debts now. Interest is stealing your money from you. If you’re making 15% in the stock market, but paying 18% in interest, you’re losing money.

Commit to paying off debts now, and you’ll be able to keep the money that you invest in the future.

Plan for Retirement

Retirement is coming, and you should be preparing for it. You need to discover exactly how much you need to retire. Thankfully, I run a seminar on planing for the future. Watch out as we roll out this important program this year.
Knowing your number will help put your savings into perspective.

Planning for retirement is always an excellent financial goal, and the new year is the best time to focus on it.

Stay Organized

Setting budgets and goals are great, but these efforts are futile if you do not have a plan to stay on track. Staying organized is a critical step to meeting your financial goals this year. There are several tools and budgeting apps out there that can help you remain on track. When it comes to your personal budget, the more organized you are the better.

I have written 3 great books on personal finance and

investing. Mastering Personal Finance, Journey To Financial Freedom and Teaching Children Financial Freedom. Grab copies and take absolute control of your financial matters.

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Your financial success and a fulfilling life is my earthly assignment. _Peter Kwadwo Asare Nyarko (Financial Literacy Advocate, Author, Financial Educator)

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CFLE Africa

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Welcome to your Some Questions to Ponder

1. 
. PAPERWORK In an emergency, could someone in your family quickly find your important papers— birth certificate, bank account records, health care directive, insurance policies, credit card records, will, etc.?

2. 
NET WORTH Do you know your current net worth and how you hold title to your various assets?

3. 
CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT Do you have enough cash available (in bank accounts or easily cashed securities) to cover yourself and your family for at least six months of no work?

4. 
BUDGET Do you and your family have a useful, written monthly budget?

5. 
EXPENSES Do you think you’ll be able to pay ‘all your bills’ on time every month for the next 12 months without a paycheck?

6. 
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Do you understand and, if appropriate, utilize all your employment benefits to your advantage?

7. 
GOALS Do you know what’s really important to you; and have you written your personal and financial goals for yourself and your family?

8. 
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE/RETIREMENT Do you know when you expect to be able to retire / become financially independent?

9. 
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE/RETIREMENT Do you know how much income & assets you will need to enjoy your retirement years; to live a quality life, including any special gifts or bequests to family, friends and nonprofits?

10. 
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE/RETIREMENT Have you calculated the amount of money required to reach your financial goals?

11. 
MAJOR EXPENDITURES - Have you thought about and made a list of major expenditures you can expect over the next five years and where the money will come from to pay for them?

12. 
INVESTMENTS - Do you think your current investment plan(s) will meet your retirement needs?

13. 
TAX DEFERRAL Do you think you are making the best use of tax-deferred investment plans for retirement?

14. 
TAXES Do you know the income tax rates on your last earned dollar?

15. 
INSURANCE / RISK MANAGEMENT Do you think you have the right amount of insurance— life, health, disability, long-term-care, auto, home/renter’s, fire/flood/earthquake, liability, etc.—not too little, but not too much?

16. 
ESTATE & GIFT PLANS Do you and your family have current wills?

17. 
POWER OF ATTORNEY Do you and your family have a current Power of Attorney?

18. 
ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE Do you and your family have a current Advance Health Care Directive?

19. 
CHARITABLE GIVING Are your favorite causes or nonprofits included within your estate & gift plans for a bequest, planned gift, or as a primary or alternate beneficiary for life insurance or retirement plans?

20. 
TRUSTS Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of using trusts?

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